DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) has named former PayPal executive Sam Shrauger and current Yahoo executive Mollie Spilman to co-lead its new consumer commerce business, as the Internet giant looks to carry out its new corporate structure. The appointments come a week after Chief Executive Scott Thompson said he is splitting the company into three main groups. Thompson formerly ran eBay Inc.'s (EBAY) PayPal business and was hired in January to turn Yahoo's business around. The consumer division will run the company's popular media websites as well as its commerce-related Web search and email services. Thompson last week detailed a renewed focus on commerce to help its current partners, including advertising customers, sell more products to Yahoo website visitors, thus generating more commission and fee revenue. "Shrauger and Spilman are two extremely talented and experienced leaders who bring unique and complementary skills to our tremendous commerce opportunity," Thompson said. "Under their leadership, both consumers and advertisers will benefit from Yahoo's ability to close the loop between consumer interests and advertising spend--ultimately redefining consumer shopping, buying and payments in ways that only Yahoo can." Shrauger, who has 14 years of experience in developing commerce products and services for Internet. most recently served as vice president of PayPal's global product and customer business organization. Spilman most recently led marketing for Yahoo's Americas division has spent more than 22 years in media, advertising and marketing. She's also held positions at AOL Inc. (AOL), Time Warner Inc. (TWX) and Meredith Corp. (MDP). Yahoo shares fell by a fraction to $14.78 after hours. The stock is down 8.3% so far this year. -By Nathalie Tadena, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-3287; nathalie.tadena@dowjones.com
